"I’m very happy that I was able to reward the team" - Filippo Fiorelli caps off Visma masterclass at Tro-Bro Léon
Cycling
Filippo Fiorelli took the biggest win of his career at Tro-Bro Léon on Sunday, with a late attack proving decisive. After the race, Fiorelli dedicated the remarkable triumph to his former sports director, Marcelo Massini, who recently passed away.
The 31-year-old attacked with 3 kilometers to go to win the prestigious French race, known for its challenging route featuring 29 gravel segments. The Italian rider held off a group of ten riders behind, including Lewis Askey and Benoit Cosnefroy, to throw his arms in the air and cap off an impressive Team Visma | Lease a Bike team display.
"I dedicate this victory to my former sports director, who passed away yesterday. But also to everyone who believes in me and, of course, the team that gave me the chance to win today," Fiorelli said in a Team Visma | Lease a Bike statement, referring to the death of Massini.
The veteran Tuscan sports director mentored Fiorelli during his time at Bardiani CSF 7 Saber (and other previous iterations of the team). Massini was widely credited as one of the most influential Italian sports directors and mentors to many in the current and past peloton.
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Visma | Lease a Bike rode 'perfectly'
With positioning and team strength vital in Tro-Bro Léon, Visma | Lease a Bike used their numbers well. Per Strand Hagenes made a breakaway of five riders before a group of favourites bridged their way across. Fiorelli sensed the opportunity to strike, gaining a small gap in the knowledge that teammate Axel Zingle was primed to sprint behind if he was caught.
But the team's new signing held on, powering to victory and undoubtedly the most high-profile win of his career. Cofidis rider Alexis Renard won the battle behind for second, while, one of the pre-race favourites, Askey completed the podium.
Fiorelli added: "We played it out perfectly as a team. We were constantly at the front and had Per in a five-man breakaway group in the finale. When he was caught, it was my turn to go, so that Axel could focus on the sprint. The moment I went, I was immediately confident I would make it. I’m very happy that I was able to reward the team with this victory."
Filippo Fiorelli during the prologue of the 2026 Tour Down Under
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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Rafionain-Glas11-11-2026 - What a win! It's been been so long in the waiting but I'm so glad for Cameron that he's finally got that victory. Sad to see Brand crash out like that. It didn't look too bad initially but there was clearly something very wrong. It could be like van Aert's last yearRafionain-Glas11-11-2026
- since you called pidcock pogi's BIG RIVAL in another article a few days ago ... i guess adding ciccone to the mix makes him almost unbeatable, no?Ketterechts11-11-2026
- 🤣🤣🤣what a headlineabstractengineer11-11-2026
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